Would the newer in lines still work well without sabots. This is a legitimate question for me as my state doesn't allow sabots. Thanks Ray

I used my encore with 450gr conicals ...had to remove qla to get them to shoot...friend shoots I think 400gr conicals out of his remington. White muzzle loaders might be worth looking into.

This may be a stupid question, but does your state consider a PowerBelt bullet to be a saboted load? If not, this is the way to go. If I were you, I would call your Wildlife Enforcement agency, and get a ruling from them. If it is in your favor, get the name and rank of the person providing the info, and ask for a backup statement in writing.
Just a thought, but sometimes they make a mistake and let the law work FOR you

I killed a doe last year with a CVA Hunterbolt (inline) with a patch and self made ball. It worked. She ran 15 yards and fell.

Matt

Try some Buffalo Ballets, had real good luck
with the 240grs 50 cal hollowbase. In a
Knight Wolverine.

flinter6 out

newtoot,

My BP knowledge and experience is small compared to some, but this much I know for a fact: Powerbelts, Buffalo Bullets, Maxi Balls, and the like are perfectly legal in CO (not considered sabots). Furthermore, Powerbelts are especially accurate, terrific killers on mule deer.

Good luck!

Would someone please describe the powerbelts? Also are there any .54 cal in lines? I currently own a T/C Hawken I built out of a kit about 20 yrs ago, very pretty walnut, .54 cal, I shoot 2" gps at 50 yds and 5" gps at 100 yds with Maxi Balls with this gun w/open sights. Scopes are NOT allowed either here in CO, but I also hunt in W TN every year and scopes are legal there. Maybe with a scope I could increase my effective range some but not near what I could with some of the more modern bp arms. Thanks Ray

Powerbelts are caliber-sized projectiles with a plastic base to "engage" the rifling. They are available in .45, .50, and .54 calibers. Here's one in .54


Go to the Powerbelt webpage for more information.

I have shot several deer with my Knight Predator in 54 cal. I use sabots made for 44cal bullets. I shot 1 with sabot and jacked Nosler 240 gr hollow point, 5 or more with sabot and Hornady 240 gr XTP, 1 with swaged 240gr lead. I found out for the best accuracy in my rifle to use 80grs of Pyrodex RS and Hornady 240gr XTP. The Deer I shot with a round ball using 80 grs of Pyrodex and a patch went through dropping it in its tracks. I have tried the Lee REAL bullets with no great accuracy and several types of conical bullets. When using the ramrod on any bullet with a lead tip it became deformed and accuracy suffered. The problem with round balls in an inline is the rifling is shallow and it lets the ball skip the rifling. In other words it goes straight down the barrel does not spin thus ruining accuracy. BTW none of the Deer I have shot with a muzzle loader went more than 20feet and most dropped in their tracks. I can�t say this for the modern bolt action rifles I have used on deer. Must be something about the larger bullet size.
If you want to shoot round balls I recommend a Lyman Great Plaines rifle with slow twist. 1 in 60inches I believe.

Yes, they'll work with full bore-sized conicals. if your rifle will shjoot them accurately, use the Powere Belts. For the size deer you have in CO, and for elk, I suggest a heavy, like the .50 cal. in 444 grain size...

Power Belts ARE LEGAL in CO!! They are NOT SABOTS!! Sabots encase an undersized bullet, and the bullet never touches the bore. The plastic wad on the Power Belt doesn't cover the sides of the bullet. Actually, this wad doesn't engage the rifling, either. It seals the bore, reducing gas blow-by. The actual bullet proper swages UP a couple of thousandths of an inch on firing to engage the rifling. These bullets shoot pretty well in my guns, but don't work so well in some guns!!

[ 11-19-2003, 00:18: Message edited by: eldeguello ]

I use a 385 gr flat point sized to .452 in my TC .45XR. they load easily and shoot into a couple inches at 100 yds (scoped rifle) I use 80 gr of ffg for a load that equals the old .4570 loading.

I was playing around with my bp's today and just for giggles I started loading .490 round balls with .016 muslin patches.This was in one of those cheap Knight package deals from Wally World. After several tries I settled on 60 grn. of 777/ffg. this load put 10 at 50 yards in 1 ragged hole, not a single bulet hole to be seen.
BTW, as to the power, I had the target tacked to a 12-12" poplar log and all passed thru!!!

[ 11-23-2003, 09:34: Message edited by: TERRY8mm ]